Writer-director Adam Hoelzel has announced that the 2026 Dances With Films: LA film festival will host the World Premiere of his debut directorial feature, “Tender.” The slow-burn psychological thriller is set to screen on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.
The film follows a married couple drowning in debt who discover what appears to be salvation within the walls of their home. Their jubilation quickly curdles into obsession, as their plan to escape financial ruin spirals into suspicion, paranoia, and psychological collapse. Blending escalating dread with the claustrophobia of a crumbling relationship, the film explores the terror of realizing the person beside you may no longer be your partner, but your greatest threat.
“This film explores how desperation can rot a relationship from the inside out,” Hoelzel said of his debut. “We were interested in the psychological unraveling — the way fear and greed distort perception until love starts to feel like a trap.”
“This film explores how desperation can rot a relationship from the inside out,” says Hoelzel. “We were interested in the psychological unraveling — the way fear and greed distort perception until love starts to feel like a trap.”
“Tender features an impressive ensemble cast led by Jesse Garcia (“Flamin’ Hot”) and Jess Weixler (“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”). The pair are joined by Robert Longstreet (“The Haunting of Hill House”), David Koechner (“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy”), Sonja O’Hara (“Snare”), Shakira Barrera (“Ironheart”), and Mark St. Cyr (“The Menu”).
Additional cast members include Stephen Ellis (“Abbott Elementary”), Robert Peters (“Lincoln”), Alexander Cubis (“Tyler Perry’s Ruthless”), and Keli Price (“Murder at Hollow Creek”).
“Tender” is produced by O’Hara, Sofia Rovaletti (“Mid-Century”), Farrell Ingle, Theo Bucksey, and Roy Hsu (“Cheap AF”), alongside Grayson Hay, Corey Moosa (“Margin Call”), David Hopwood (“Power”), Michael K. Dwyer’s A Group of Ferrets, and Juan Pablo Reinoso’s Firebook Entertainment.
Tickets for the Sunday, June 28 premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre are available now.
